Police use of force in Queensland watch-houses report released - 4 December 2017

The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) today published a research report examining use of force by Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers in five watch-houses.

The report, Police use of force in Queensland watch-houses, which reviewed CCTV footage, CCC allegations data and QPS data, policies and procedures, did not find any systemic issues of excessive use of force. However, the CCC has made a number of recommendations to the QPS about the importance of ensuring adequate CCTV monitoring of watch-house areas and to improve the clarity of some policy and procedures.

CCC Chairperson, Alan MacSporran QC, said the research found officers were mostly electing to use lower-level use of force options to resolve an incident, as opposed to higher-level options such as physical strikes or the use of weapons.

“One of the CCC’s strategic areas of focus is excessive use of force by public sector employees including police officers,” Mr MacSporran said.

“What happens in watch-houses is typically hidden from the public eye. This research provides us with a baseline understanding about the prevalence and nature of use of force in this environment.”

“These research results are encouraging, but given the small sample of this study, and absence of comparable data from another jurisdiction, the high-risk activities within watch-houses mean that it remains important that the QPS and the CCC continue oversight of compliance measures, monitoring systems and the guidance provided to officers,” he said.

The CCC is an independent agency combating major crime and reducing corruption for the benefit of the Queensland community.